Patrick Wilson, Ted Danson, and Jean Smart Join FX’s FARGO

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The list of actors joining FX’s next Fargo miniseries (a prequel to the original) has just grown impressively. The ubiquitous Patrick Wilson and veteran character actors Ted Danson and Jean Smart will join the already announced Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons. This time around the story will be set in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Luverne, Minnesota in 1979. According to Deadline, Wilson (pictured above in The Conjuring) will star as Lou Solverson (played as a much older man in the first miniseries by Keith Carradine). Solverson is described as a family man, a Vietnam vet, and a Minnesota state police officer tasked with solving a new case, one frequently referred to in the original miniseries (Molly Solverson’s mother is also expected to appear); and, like its predecessor’s case, based on a “true story.” Danson will be Lou’s father-in-law, Hank Larsson, a Minnesota sheriff and World War II vet. Smart is Floyd Gerhardt, “the matriarch of the Gerhardt crime family,” who assumes control of the clan in her husband’s absence.

Emmy-winning showrunner Noah Hawley returns along with executive producers and creators Joel and Ethan Coen. The cast of the miniseries’ ten episodes is further filled by Nick Offerman, Brad Garrett, Kieran Culkin, Bokeem Woodbine, Jeffrey Donovan and Angus Sampson. Shooting begins this month in Calgary for a fall debut on FX.

As successful as the network’s first Fargo miniseries proved to be, this one has its work cut out for it. This one lacks the springboard of the Coens’ Oscar-winning film, and apparently lacks a female police office protagonist. What do you guys think? Will the spirit of Fargo prevail?